The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
